BANGKOK: Thailand's military junta assures that those detained following a coup on Thursday, including former prime minister Yingluck Shinawara, are well treated.

However, the military junta declined to say where they are being detained and for how long.

"Former prime minister is being treated as a VIP. We need to provide some good understanding, we need to clarify, to create a good environment," Colonel Weerachon Sukondhapatipak told reporters at the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) at the Army Club, Saturday.

The NCPO deputy spokeman added that "we want them to be themselves".

"They don't have to answer any question and do anything apart from having time to relax and think over the situation," he said.

According to martial law, a person can be detained without charge for no more than one week, and many of those in custody are closely link to Yingluck's brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who is now in exile.

The military junta also tightened its grip on power by dissolving the senate and putting legislative power in its hand.

Anti-coup protests have occurred in the country since Friday with reports stating that at least five anti-coup protesters were detained in Bangkok central business district on Friday night.

There were more protests Saturday against the coup and calls for an early election.

Colonel Wintai Suwaree, the NCPO spokesman, said so far, the military had not taken legal action against anti-coup protesters as they preferred compromise by negotiating with the protesters.

On Saturday morning, about 200 anti-coup protesters gathered to protest in front of a shopping mall in northern Bangkok, and in the afternoon they moved to the Victory monument.

"Return power to the people, we want freedom and election, we don't want a coup," they shouted.

The military junta also allowed television channels to resume normal programming, except for international news channels such as CNN which remained blocked.

The coup will certainly have an adverse impact on the economy of Thailand, especially the tourism sector which targets to attract 27 million tourists this year.

The curfew between 10pm to 5am imposed in Bangkok has already affected nightlife in the capital.

However, thousands of rice farmers will be relieved as army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that funds have been made available for them and is confident it could be paid within 20 days. – Bernama